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Serviceberry lesion #869073

Asked May 18, 2024, 10:57 PM EDT

I can't identify this lesion that appeared on my serviceberry sapling. Can you help me out? I'm hesitant to cut it off, in case it's a chrysalis of some kind. P.S. The lesion just looks shiny due to recent rain.

Prince George's County Maryland

Expert Response

That is the old remains of a rust disease, likely from another season. It's not uncommon for serviceberry to have rust disease.
You can prune it out if you like.
Here is our page on our native Serviceberries:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/serviceberry-early-flowering-maryland-native-tree/

Christine
Answered by theHome and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied May 20, 2024, 10:49 AM EDT
Thank you!  I'd seen rust on the tree before, so makes sense -- this just looked so different that it threw me.  So would this thing qualify as a gall now?
On Mon, May 20, 2024 at 10:49 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied May 20, 2024, 11:07 AM EDT
Galls are abnormal tissue swellings, usually on living tissues, but yes, we suppose it could be considered a fungal gall.

Christine
Answered by theHome and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied May 20, 2024, 12:20 PM EDT
Got it, thanks.

On Mon, May 20, 2024, 12:20 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied May 20, 2024, 1:31 PM EDT

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